DRAMATIC scenes unfolded when a teenage girl appeared in court charged with the murder of her ex-boyfriend.

Around 15 police lined Hyndburn Magistrates' Court to ensure there was no trouble at Monday's hearing.

Kelly Jayne Hyslop, 19, is accused of killing Mohammed Nadeem, 28, who was found dead from stab wounds at her home in Commercial Road, Great Harwood, last Friday night.

Around 40 friends and relatives of the alleged victim, who lived with his family in Steiner Street, Accrington, packed into the public gallery for the two-minute hearing, along with Hyndburn councillors Sardar Ali and Siddique Kazi.

Hyslop, dressed in a grey top, shook and sobbed uncontrollably as she was led into the dock by two custody officers.

Her family, who live in Parker Street, Huncoat, were also in court and hugged each other as the charges were read out.

Hyslop, who previously lived in Marlborough Road, Accrington, was remanded in custody, and as she left the dock she was heckled by men in the public gallery.

She went on to appear at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, when a date for a plea-and-directions hearing was set for 5 May and she was again remanded in custody.

There was no application for bail by defence barrister Miss Kath Johnson.

After the initial hearing, Sergeant Dave Reddin, from Great Harwood Police, said: "We maintained a strong police presence today to ensure law and order was kept in court."

Police had been called to the address at 11pm on the night of the incident and cordoned off the area while a forensic examination of the scene was carried out.

Relatives and friends of Mr Nadeem travelled to the town from all over the country to pay their respects.

An inquest into Mr Nadeem's death has been opened and adjourned.

East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor said a post-mortem examination confirmed Mr Nadeem had died from stab wounds.